Warning signal for railroad crossings



Aug. 20, 1929. BIGGER 1,725,505

WARNING SIGNAL FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS Filed May 16, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l w? 1 m 4 2 I I w a I I I I I I I I I I I I I 5 c9 I I I I I l E 0 l A l Inventor I a 4- 3 I [6 0270'. a 6 7 a T A 1 f I \4\ Aug. 20, 1929.

A. A. BIGGER 1,725,505

WARNING SIGNAL FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1927 Inventor yfizmaalizm Attorney Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

1,725,505 PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER A. BIGGER, 0F FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA.

WARNING SIGNAL FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS.

Application filed May 16,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in signalling devices and aims to provide ahighly novel, simple, and efficiently operating mechanism for disposition along a trackway and including signalling means adjacent the crossing to be moved into visible position by a train approaching the crossing.

By reason of the present invention the signalling devices per se are automatically raised by the train approaching the crossing and automatically lowered as the train reaches the crossing, or if desired after it has passed over the crossing. The mechanism for controlling the movement of the signal devices per se is entirely of a mechanical nature doing away with any human agency as well as electrical means for its operation, both of which are un satisfactory. Furthermore, by reason of the present invention the signalling devices are positively operated and this without requiring a complicated mechanism and a mass of electrical wiring details now frequently depended upon in the operation of a number of conventionally constructed signalling devices.

In the drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of a track way crossed by a road disclosing the signalling construction. in top plan.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken substantially upon the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar View taken substantially upon the line of the same figure.

Figure at is an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially upon the line 1-4 of said Figure 1 for more clearly disclosing one of the signalling units in full. line visible position and in dotted line lowered position, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section taken through the metallic conduit arranged between the rails of the track-way and within which is certain signal actuating mechanism.

Now having particular reference to the drawings, A indicates a section of a railroad, while B designates a highway crossing the railroad. In carrying out my invention there is arranged between the rails aa of the trackway and at the side of the highway B toward which the train approaches a hollow conduit 5 of metallic or concrete construction and of a length greater than the length 1927. Serial ,No. 191,750.

of any train passing over the trackway. Arranged within this conduit 5 at predetermined points are horizontal circular plates 6 mounted for rotation upon vertical pins 7 journaled at their opposite ends within the top and bottom walls of said conduit. These plates are formed or provided at opposed points at their peripheries with ears 88, the longitudinally alined ears of the spaced plates being interconnected by bars 9, the ends of which are pivotally connected to said ears as clearly indicated in Figure 5.

As disclosed in Figure 1 the end most plates 6 are arranged within the ends of the conduit while their particular supporting pins project through the top wall of the conduit for permitting other pulleys 1010 to be attached thereto. Adjacent these pulleys 1()10 one side wall of the conduit 5 is formed with lateral tongues 1111 upon the ends of which are mounted horizontal pulleys 1212. Each pulley 12 is constructed with a raised and outwardly radiating arm 13 for engagement above the adjacent rail a of the trackway A. The adjacent pulleys 10 and 12 are interconnected by a length of cable 14, the connection being such that when the arm 13 of one pulley 12 is in position over the rail a, the other arm will be at an inwardly extended position with respect to the rail and vice versa, as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Figure 1.

Arranged within the extreme inner end of the conduit 5 is a plate 15 similar to the other plate 6 with the exception that the same is formed at four equal spaced points with ears 16. Certain of these ears are connected to the ears of the next adjacent plate 6 by bar sec tions, so that when the bar sections at opposite sides of the housing 5 move reversely, said plate will be properly turned.

Extending transversely of the conduit 5 at the end adjacent the highway B are right angular branch conduits 1717 that have communication with the interior of the conduit 5 and that are formed at their outer ends with right angular and rearwardly extending branches 1818. Arranged vertically at the outer end of each branch 17 is a pulley 19, while arranged within the inner end of each right angular branch 18 is a horizontal pulley 20, to the outer side of which is connected an arm 21 equipped at its free end with a rigid flag 22 or other visible signalling means. As clearly disclosed in Figures 1 and 4, the top wall of each right angular branch 18 is formed with a slot 23 so that the fl. 22 and arm 21 may enter therein as suggested by the dotted lines in said Figure 4. Furthermore, the bottom o1 each right angular branch 18 of the conduit is formed with a pocket 24 for receiving the flag 22 when the same is in lowered position.

Arranged around each flag arm pulley 20 is a cable 25 the runs of which are arranged around the respective vertical pulley 19 after which the ends thereof are attached to certain ears of the plate 15 within the inner end of the conduit 5.

When the flag carrying arms are. in lowered position, the train trip arm 13 adjacent the roadway B is away from the rail A as indicated by the full lines in Figure 1. The other trip arm at a point remote from the highway is in position above the rail as indicated in the same figure. Upon the train approaching a depending pin C, Figure 3 attached to the locomotive cow-catcher will. engage the trip arm for moving the same to the dotted line position in Figure 1. This movement will pull upon the respective cable 14: for so actuating its attached pulley 10 to cause the turning of its respective plate 6 causing the bar sections at opposite sides of the conduit 5 to move in reverse direction, which will so control the plate 15 to actuate the cables 2525 to raise the flag carrying arms 2121. The inward swinging of the remote trip arm 13 will cause the movement of the inner trip arm to the dotted line position in Figure 1, so that upon approaching the highway B the pin C will engage this trip arm to cause a reversal of movement of the mechanism resulting in the lowering of the flagcarrying arm.

The specific construction and operation of a warning signal for railroad crossings of this character will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, and even though I have herein shown and described the inven tion as consisting of certain detail structural elements it is nevertheless to be understood that some changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a signalling structure for railroad crossings comprising an elongated conduit adapted to extend transversely in respect to the railroad and for a substantialdistance at each side thereof in parallelism to the roadway, the respective ends of said conduit being disposed laterally, a signal member pivotally supported at its lower end within the lateral.- ly disposed portions of the conduit, a laterally disposed flag of sheet metal at the upper end of the member, a depending construction at the bottom of said laterally disposed flag for receiving the flag when the signal member is in its lowered position. 7

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALEXANDER A. BIGGER. 

